- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized his recognition of the challenges women face in safeguarding their families amidst the economic crisis. He highlighted the government’s swift action by presenting two bills to the Parliament aimed at empowering women during this initial phase of economic recovery.
- National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held discussions with the Japan, South Africa, and Switzerland Heads of Missions in Sri Lanka. According to the NPP, MP Dissanayake met with Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki, High Commissioner of South Africa Sandile Schalk, and Ambassador to Switzerland Siri Walt.
- The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will visit Sri Lanka, alongside his travel to India and Bangladesh from May 10 -15. According to the US State Department, his trip will strengthen bilateral cooperation with each country and demonstrate US support for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised significant concerns regarding the prolonged delay in appointing judges to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal. In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the BASL highlighted the pressing issue of as many as five vacancies currently existing within the Court of Appeal.
- The Department of Examinations to file a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over irregularities detected at two examination centers during the ongoing G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara said the irregularities were detected during the English Language examination at the exam centers in the Colombo and Hasalaka areas.
- Police have arrested a suspect, who was in possession of a stock of heroin in the Batalanda area of Walpola, Ragama. The apprehension was made during the inspection of a car at a police checkpoint following a tip-off received by Ragama Police. During the operation, police have seized 102 grams and 940 milligrams of heroin found inside the car in which the 45-year-old suspect was travelling.
- The Sri Lankan military veterans, who had illegally joined Russian mercenaries and subsequently escaped from such groups in the conflict zones to returned to the island, claim that around 1,000 Sri Lankans are currently fighting in the Ukraine –Russia warfront.
- President’s Counsel Shantha Jayawardena warned that the Minister of Power and Energy could transform into a “monster” due to the extensive powers granted by the proposed new Sri Lanka Electricity Act. He made this warning at the Supreme Court, during the hearing of 12 petitions challenging the Electricity Bill, which had been submitted to Parliament by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, ostensibly aimed at restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board.
- A group representing children, youth, and civil society organizations voices their concerns regarding the Climate Summit hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) under the theme “Code Red: Climate Risks and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Businesses.” Issuing a statement, a collective of 16 organizations argued that labelling a business-focused summit aimed at economic prosperity as a “Climate Summit” is misleading and constitutes greenwashing.
- Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that it has increased player fees for all categories of Sri Lanka’s international players with immediate effect. Issuing a statement, SLC stated that accordingly, 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, namely, A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ’A’ Team.
